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One of the things that would help many athletes avoid spending time in the clinic addressing injuries and more time in training sessions despite the existence of certain injuries, is a proper understanding of how the human body repairs itself in tandem with seeking basic guidance from qualified professionals. Get these two things, and the injured athlete will have a stronger chance of a quick recovery. Inexplicably there is a common misconception that if we ignore our injuries that they would eventually disappear — just rest it, and once the pain is gone everything will return to normal. Then, there is the other group of extremists who believe that fighting through the pain will bring them the reward of recovery. The truth is that neither option is accurate. Resting simply reduces the likelihood of further irritation, while fighting through an injury and ignoring the pain is like breaking a red light! Another common misconception is that overcoming injuries is “so easy, even a caveman can do it.” Many have had to learn the hard way that this is not always the case and their self diagnosis based on what happened to someone else they know who “had the same thing happen to them” followed by their own rehabilitation programme based on something they got off the internet could very easily worsen their case. The fitness enthusiast and parents are especially guilty of such behaviour patterns and what could have easily been a few days or weeks out of full-go training, can lead to months of rehabilitation and/or possibly surgery.

For instance, the use of laser therapy is becoming increasingly common in T&T. Unfortunately, it is currently not being used in conjunction with rehabilitation protocols by its service providers (whom currently are not rehabilitation specialists). Laser can easily create the delusion that the individual is healed because it is very effective in reducing pain and irritation (depending on the nature and seriousness of the injury) however, without some re-education to the musculoskeletal or neuromuscular systems, as is required, the injured individual who is in fact still injured, returns to the activity with the notion that they can perform at 100 per cent. Such individuals come to realise that only one part of the problem had been taken care of  and that they needed more guidance on how to slowly bring themselves back to a place both physically and mentally, to cope with the demands of strenuous activity. The foam roller is another piece of equipment used in rehabilitation that, when applied correctly, can be very effective but applied incorrectly will cause the individual to worsen their condition. For instance, as has been mentioned in previous columns, muscle guarding is a natural response to injury, regardless of whether the injury is muscular, skeletal or neural. Once pain is present, the body’s muscles will react to protect that area by naturally creating a brace around it to reduce the possibility of excessive movement and inflammation. As a spin-off from this, the muscle feels tense and tight to the individual.

While gentle stretching can be prescribed in such instances (again everything is relative to the injury involved) massaging the area is definitely a contra-indication and this is one of the primary functions of the foam roller – to massage the muscle. For the unacquainted reader, just as the name implies, foam rollers are cylindrical shaped foam pieces that can range in size and density. The roller is placed on the floor, with the individual lying on top of the roller with muscle or area to be massage in primary contact. As the individual relaxes his/her body weight on the foam roller, they push and pull their body along the floor to give them a massage that can be as gentle or intense as they so desire. The high density roller is the more common roller of choice and as such, there have been instances of avid fitness enthusiasts, in an effort to work on their own injury, using such apparatus to massage the tight area, thinking they are doing the muscle good. Depending on the stage of healing the tissue is at, what can actually be happening is a complete break down of any clotting or tissue formation that may have started to develop. As a general rule, whenever injured, ‘if it hurts to do it, then do not do it!’ If after resting, icing, compressing and elevating the injury for three days to a week, there are no noted improvements, it is time to seek professional assistance, which could start with a therapist or a sports physician. Once committed to receiving therapy, be sure to follow all restriction guidelines so that the therapist can acquire a clear understanding of how the body is responding to therapy and whether it is having a positive effect or not.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Asha De Freitas-Moseley

Trinidad and Tobago will be without three of their more accomplished sprint stars at the 2011 Pan Am Games scheduled for October 14-30 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Unsurprisingly, World Championship bronze medallist Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson and 2007 Pan Am Junior 100m champ Keston Bledman have all opted to take a much-needed rest after a lengthy European season.

Trevor James, public relations officer, National Association of Athletic Administration (NAAA), is not worried by the absence of the trio and believes it will be a level playing field.

“We’re not going to see Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell running for Jamaica or Tyson Gay for the United States. I don’t even think Kirani James of Grenada will be there so it is going to be even. It is about which country has more depth,” he said.

James noted that it is expected that the athletes take a bit of rest before gearing up for the Olympics which gets underway next year in London.

“It’s late in the year. We’re not pressuring anyone to say ‘you have to go’. Everyone has their own goals. These are the challenges we face in the sport,” he noted. He explained that it is an opportunity for some of the promising talents to deliver on the international stage.

The NAAA PRO says he is looking closely at the performances of Moriba Morrain in the half-lap event and Darryl Brown and Emmanuel Callender in the 100m sprint.

Although omitted from the 2011 World Championships 4x100m relay team, James says he does not believe Brown, a former World Junior champion, is washed up.

“I don’t think he is past his best. He’s had some injuries and he has competed this year and is still going to compete. It’s important for him to keep running and finish off the year positively. He’s had a decent season coming off where he has been in terms of injuries and he is staying healthy. He has lost some of that mass and that is good,” James pointed out.

He argued that it has been difficult for Brown to get back to peak form as he has not been able to take part in meets consistently due to his hiatus from the sport.

Reflecting on Baptiste’s performance on the European circuit, James praised the Tobago runner and believes she should add the 200m to her repertoire.

“Kelly had a great season. I’m surprised she is not running the 200m more. Look at (Jamaican) Yohan Blake. He is a 100m sprinter and ran the second fastest ever 200m time. A lot of our sprinters need to run the 200m. Callender is running 10.20 in the 100m and running 21plus in the 200m. The maths don’t add up. He needs to work on this because something is wrong,” James complained.

-Stephon Nicholas

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

INTEREST is heightening for Saturday’s Newsday/Caribbean Lifestyle Communications Network Republic Day International Cycling and Fun Run at King George V Park, St Clair.

At yesterday’s launch at Mike’s Bike Shop, Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, event organiser Michael Phillips said the seventh staging of the event this year is being jointly funded by the Newsday, the Caribbean Lifestyle Communication’s Network — the home of Ebony 104fm; Radio 97.1fm as well as Gatorade, Blue Waters, Yoplait Yogurt, Hi Lo, KFC and Kiss.

All proceeds from the registration will be given to the Newsday ‘Save the Street Children Fund.’ Registration fee will be $50 for all participants inclusive of the runners and cyclists.

Phillips said he applauds Newsday’s continued effort towards the event, particularly in severe financial times.

This year a new champion will be crowned as last year’s winner Ryan Parnes of the United States will not be here.

2008 winner Guy Costa is backing himself to win the event despite the presence of a large international field of cyclists that include Germany’s Stefan Steinweg and Henner Rodel, Denmark’s Michael Smith Larsen and Nichlas Eberhardt Sorenson, Lang Reynold, Johnathan Teeter and James Stout of the United Kingdom.

Yesterday, Costa said he holds the event close to his heart as it is one of the prestige events on the cycling calender.

“The international (athletes) will be coming strong but we have something to show as well,” he said. The event will begin with an aerobics warm-up at 2:30pm before the fun run 30 minutes later. The feature 30-lap cycling event will pedal off at 4pm. Officials are targetting well over 100 riders for the cycling event and between 350-500 athletes for the fun run. Denise Demming, president of the Trinidad Road Runners Club said the event, for the first time, will have electronic timing.

Demming also sent out a message to Government that sports should be the preferred choice in the fight against crime. According to Demming, local officials should be spared the burden of paying for ambulance and police officers for sporting events.

“If Government is attempting to promote healthy lifestyles, then they should be the ones paying for these services,” she said.

-Walter Alibey

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

SEVERAL Pro League clubs are facing challenges on and off the field of play with collapse a serious reality.

Azaad Khan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Adam’s Construction San Juan Jabloteh, said the top flight football tournament in TT may have no choice but to close after monthly funding from government was stopped.

It is understood that government, through the Ministry of Sport, pump $50, 000 into the coffers of some clubs and also provide others with a monthly cheque of $17,000 to help off-set expenses. However, this funding, has allegedly been withheld since February of this year and a number of clubs have been preparing for the worse.

Clubs that played a critical role in building the foundation for professional football in Trinidad and Tobago, such as Adam Construction San Juan Jabloteh, W Connection, St Ann’s Rangers and Caledonia AIA, as well as North East Stars have literally been on bended knees for the funding to continue.

Three of the five clubs, Jabloteh, Caledonia AIA and W Connection also allegedly met with Attorney General Anand Ramlogan recently in a move to have him convince Finance Minister Winston Dookeran to release the funds.

According to Khan, “I understand that the money was approved by the Finance Minister and only needed a note from SportsMinister Anil Roberts before it can be distributed.

“All clubs, with the exception only of Defence Force, Police and TTEC are being affected by this lack funding.”

This means the TT Pro League is facing a very gloomy future as most of the clubs will be folded,” he predicted

The closure of the league means that close to 300 players will be thrown on the breadline.

“And these players have their families. People who come out daily to sell food stuff will also be affected, as well as their families,” Khan said. Meanwhile, Jabloteh have already began to put contingency plans in place. Khan admitted his club has already implemented a massive 25 percent cut on salaries for players and staff.

This is being followed by a fund-raising boat ride aboard the Treasure Queen at the end of November for which club directors and players have been mandated to go out and sell tickets in a bid to keep the club afloat. Khan claims, “the San Juan-based club, considered a pillar in local football, is not able to sustain itself further than December of this year.

“Don’t be fooled. In spite of the pay cuts, the club can fold at any time now,” he lamented.

Khan called on Minister Roberts and government to honour an alleged agreement with the clubs. “Particularly with this State of Emergency, the nation’s youths are suffering. There is no hope, no way out for them and our club has provided for these under privileged youths for years.”

David John-Williams, owner and founder of W Connection, said his club too are trying their best to become self-sufficient.

“We are looking at it from all angles. We have a lot of things that we are looking at and we will continue work hard to ensure the club and the league will survive,” he explained. Attempts to reach Minister Roberts proved yesterday futile.

-Walter Alibey

Source: www.newsdat.co.tt

The local women’s pair of Elki Phillip and Ayana Dyette were ousted at the quarterfinal stage of the Norceca Beach Volleyball Circuit Tournament at Rosarito Beach Hotel, Rosarito, Mexico on Saturday. After losses on Friday’s opening day to Puerto Ricans’Yamileska Yantin and Tatiana Encarnación (15-21, 17-21) and USA’s Kelly Schumacher and Angela Bryan, (10-21, 9-21), Phillip and Dyette were beaten in their final round-robin match Canada’s Kristina Vlcek and Rebecca Billings 19-21, 10-21. However, the T&T pair still qualified for the quarterfinals where they were stopped by Mexico-1 players, Bibiana Candelas and Mayra García 21-14, 21-8.

The local men’s pair of David Thomas and Fabien Whitfield  ended winless as well from their four matches.
On Saturday, Mexico-3 duo, Jaime Lopez and Armando Lopez defeated Thomas and Whitfield 21-17, 21-11 while the US Virgin Islands’ Marc Lomeli and Gustavo Cintron overcame the T&T pair 21-10, 21-18. On Friday, USA’s Andrew McGuire and Avery Drost defeated Thomas and Whitfield 24-22, 21-10 while the latter were also beaten by Puerto Ricans, Roberto Rodriguez and Christopher Underwood 7-21, 14-21.
In the finals on Sunday, the Mexican Olympic duo of Garcia and Candelas, as well as Puerto Rico’s Christopher Underwood and Roberto Rodriguez won the gold medal.

Garcia and Candelas defeated the Mexico’s number 2 couple, conformed by Martha Revuelta and Vanessa Virgen 25-23, 21-17  while Underwood and Rodriguez won against Mexico’s Aldo Miramontes and Juan Virgen 21-15, 18-21, 15-11. USA  teams finished with bronze medals after winning men’s and women’s third place matches. Andrew Mcguire and Avery Drost defeated Guatemala’s Andy Blanco and Erick Garrido 21-13, 21-14 while Kelly Schumacher and Angela Bryan defeated Susana Alvarado and Lourdes Ramirez of Guatemala 21-17, 21-16.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Sunday morning just around 3 am T&T time, a bit of Rugby World Cup history was made when, Delon Armitage scored a try for England against Georgia in Dunedin, New Zealand. Armitage is the first native Trinbagonian and West Indian to represent England in the sport of rugby union. In Dunedin he formed another trivia question. This time: “Who is the first native of T&T to score a try in a rugby World Cup?” He was born in San Fernando. His original sporting hero was former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke. In 1990, he left Trinidad at the age of six years when his mother (Verna Williams) got married to Englishman John Armitage. Watching him do his thing on the world stage I wondered if he could have achieved his full potential had he remained here.

Nowadays when you sit down to watch any global sporting event it is hard to ignore the high standard of skill, fitness, strength and conditioning on display. Research and reading will throw up information that will reveal that GPS, heart rate monitors, lap top computers, spread sheet analysis, software programmes etc, are the rule and norm rather than the exception. The England rugby World Cup team is supported by two dozen people including, a manager and five coaches, a doctor, two physios, a massage therapist ,a Queens Counsel (QC) as their legal counsel and a media relations expert. Here in T&T we call backroom teams “trips for the boys and girls.” What about local national sport organisations? Are they ensuring that modern technology and sport science are key elements in the training and preparing programmes of local based athletes and teams?

This is not a discussion that need degenerate to thinly disguised rumour mongering or idle gossip. Beating and competing with the best in the world requires not only an unshakable attitude but the right environment and systems. Our indigenous party, lime and laidback island culture are not helpful. Neither are some well-meaning and passionate individuals who boast of experience, knowledge and success gained in a different era. Times have changed - nostalgia and the use of outdated ways of thinking hamper progress and change. Experience is constructive when it embraces and encourages new ideas, methods and approaches. When it is dismissive and judgemental it serves little purpose. In 2009, a Core Design Working Group spent a considerable amount of time, energy and research aimed at developing a model called Building Pathways In Sporting Excellence for T&T.

The objective was to create a model that promotes a systematic approach to creating an environment that enables participants to achieve their optimum potential. A basic assumption is a broad and wide spread participation in recreational sport. Elite talent cannot emerge without the economies of scale of large participation numbers. A good support infrastructure will help our sportsmen and women to overcome obstacles and make use of opportunities. It will also enhance this country’s capacity to produce potential champions. We have administrators, coaches and athletes with an abundance of talent and potential. That’s the rub isn’t it? No amount of talent and potential will be enough. Imagine a T&T where our sportsmen and women can have access to modern technology and sport science, to supplement the old faithful technology of crossed fingers. Use your mind’s eye to visualise our national flag being raised and our anthem playing. We are podium ready and can achieve anything we want. Countries and athletes from around the world flock to T&T to learn from us the magic formula.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Brian Lewis

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Michael Romany graduated with an Executive Masters In Sport Organisation Management(MEMOS) in Lausanne, Switzerland last Thursday .Romany successful completed  his post graduate research project designed to explore the management systems and tools currently employed by National Sport Organisations in Trinidad and Tobago.
The one year extensive  study and research programme resulted in the development of an organizational planning model for NSOs in T&T.
The national Olympic leader' was granted an  International Olympic Committee(IOC) Olympic Solidarity scholarship  and following a well received public presentation of his thesis in Lausanne Romany said he was looking forward to implementing some of  the recommendations and action plans.

T&T rugby can reap significant benefit from its rugby 7s participation at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) says national Under-18 rugby 7s team manager, Rudolph Jack. T&T U-18 rugby team competed in the rugby 7s competition in the Isle of Man, losing all six games the local youngsters played.
“Playing against Australia, England, South Africa, Canada and Sri Lanka (twice) was a great experience for the boys. They competed well and I could not complain about their mental toughness. They showed tremendous fighting spirit. “The physical size, strength and fitness of the other teams would have served as a motivation for our players to get into the gym.”

According to Jack the onus is now on the T&T Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) to put in place the necessary programmes that will ensure that the U-18 rugby 7s training squad remain in training and development. “The senior team played in the Commonwealth Games in 1998 and 2002. So it is not to say that the TTRFU would be hearing anything new when I say that a different approach is needed if we are serious about qualifying for the Olympics in 2016 and other big events such as Commonwealth Games.” Jack believes that there are players on the U-18 team who can progress to the senior team with the right guidance and preparation.
“Rugby 7s is for big, strong, skillful and fast athletes.

“Speed is important as is strength and power. The Isle of Man group now have a firsthand appreciation of the requirements if they want to compete and win at the international level. “I am confident they will carry those lessons as they move up into senior rugby.” On day one T&T lost to England (53-0), South Africa (62-0) and Sri Lanka (17-5). In day two action, T&T were defeated by Australia (53-0), Canada(60-7) and Sri Lanka (24-12). England won the gold medal with South Africa taking silver and Australia the bronze medal.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Trinidad and Tobago rugby can reap  significant benefit from  its rugby 7s participation at  the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games(CYG) says national under 18 rugby 7s  team manager Rudolph Jack.
The T&T under 18 rugby team competed in the rugby 7s competition in the Isle of Man losing all six games the local youngsters played.
" Playing against Australia, England, South Africa, Canada and Sri Lanka(twice) was a great experience for the boys. They competed well and I could not complain about their mental toughness. They showed tremendous fighting spirit. The physical size ,strength and fitness of the other teams would have served as a motivation for our players to get into the gym. "
According to Jack the onus is now on the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union(TTRFU) to put in place the necessary programmes that will ensure that the under 18  rugby 7s training squad remain in training and development.
" The senior team played in the Commonwealth Games in 1998 and 2002. So it is not to say that the TTRFU would be hearing anything new  when I say  that a different approach is needed if we are serious about qualifying for the Olympics in 2016 and other big events such as Commonwealth Games."
Jack believes that there are players on the under 18 team who can progress to the senior team with the right guidance and preparation.
" Rugby 7s is for big ,strong ,skillful and fast athletes. Speed is important as is  strength and power. The Isle of Man group  now have a first hand appreciation of the requirements  if they want to compete and win at the international  level. I am confident  they will carry those lessons as they move up into senior rugby"
On day one T&T lost to England(53-0), South Africa(62-0) and Sri Lanka(17-5).
In day two action T&T were defeated by Australia(53-0), Canada(60-7) and Sri Lanka(24-12).
England won the gold medal with South Africa taking silver and Australia the bronze medal

-Brian Lewis

Why is it that we drop to our knees and hold our ankle just after we twist it on the football field? Why do we violently flick and shake our hand after our opponent has just stepped on it with his metal cleats in the ruck of a rugby game? The same response happens when we burn our hand. Does pain just make us do strange things? Actually, there is method to our madness when we shake that hand. We are trying to dull the pain sensation, and there is a scientific explanation for our antics! There are a few theories about how exactly we feel pain, but one of the most accepted is called the Gate Control Theory of Pain. It is far more complicated than what I will attempt to explain, but simply put this theory describes a gating mechanism in the spinal cord. There are two types of receptors in the spinal cord: pain receptors, which transmit painful sensations, and then our normal receptors which transmit normal sensations that we feel when things touch us. Both of these receptors connect to the brain through a “gate.” When Jean is walking in an empty space there is no input from either the pain or the normal receptors; the gate remains closed so no message is transmitted to the brain and therefore Jean feels no pain. If Dinah then comes along and just brushes past her, Jean’s normal tactile receptors are stimulated, the gate still remains closed, and Jean feels no pain, just simply Dinah’s touch.

However, if Rosita meets Jean in a crowded room and pushes her way through elbowing Jean in the face, Jean’s pain receptors are activated, and the gate opens, sending messages to the brain that she interprets as pain. She may react by rubbing her face. This action, as strange as it may seem, actually triggers the normal tactile receptors. The stimulation of these receptors can over-ride the input from the painful receptors and close the gate so that messages of pain do not get to the brain. She then no longer feels the pain, or is able to dull the sensation. This is the same reason why the football player grabs her ankle after a tackle or that rugby player shakes his hand after is has been stepped on. However, despite painful stimuli reaching our brains from activation of our pain receptors, in some instances we can actually ignore it and it becomes less painful for us. This speaks to the great influence our brain has on our perception of pain. The power of our brain and thoughts also explains why in some research studies, those people given placebo drugs report a decrease in their pain. This cerebral influence also explains what is called psychogenic pain, or pain without any physical cause. Physiological and psychological factors affect our perception of pain. For example, brain circuitry degenerates with age so older individuals tend to have lower pain thresholds.

Women tend to have a higher sensitivity to pain (although some say we can tolerate it much better) than men. This may be due to hormonal influences and also sociocultural factors that dictate that men should be strong in the face of pain. When we are fatigued or stressed, or are deprived of sleep, we tend to experience more pain. Our emotions and memory also affect the circuitry of our pain pathways and can control how we perceive pain. How we have experienced pain in the past can dictate how we experience it today. For example, 45 year-old Clementina, who had an excruciating episode of low back pain after lifting a bucket of water during her job as a janitor, may continuously expect pain with lifting activities, and thus self-impose activity restrictions because she expects that she will get pain and experience it as severely as she did in her first episode, even though she may not. Here we see the behavioural component of pain, which can become vague and chronic in character, even if the injury has healed. This is another example of psychogenic pain, or as we say “it in she head!” In fact it is in her head! It is not that Clementina is not experiencing pain and is dishonestly reporting the presence of pain. It is actually how her brain perceives the messages it is receiving from her body in the context of her environment. She may actually be experiencing pain even though there is no longer any evidence of her injury.

This pain can become psychosocial in origin if Clementina receives sympathy from her friends, and attention from her very busy and emotionally distant husband. Furthermore, she may receive monetary compensation from her job, which will facilitate her pain behaviour as she has financial gain. It is operant conditioning in action! This kind of pain is usually unresponsive to physiologic intervention and requires psychological management. Pain is a highly subjective phenomenon, and has multiple factors that affect how an individual experiences it. Not only is it physical or sensory in nature, it has behavioural, social, verbal and even financial components. All too often we treat the diagnosis and fail to understand why pain continues despite resolution of the injury. We are often quick to accuse someone of “fakin d pain,” without consideration of their unique experience. When addressing pain, it is therefore vital that we view the entire person, and not just that person’s diagnosis.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Carla Rauseo

T&T’s Thema Williams will be the first gymnast ever to represent the country at the World Artistic Gymnastic Championships from October 7-16 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Tokyo. The 43rd edition of the event commences with the opening ceremony on October 7 at 11.15 am. The championship is the first qualifying round for the 2012 London Olympics with the top eight countries automatically qualifying.

16-year-old Williams has also qualified for next month’s Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico from October 24-28. Again becoming the first gymnast to represent T&T at the event. There Williams will face competitors from 18 other countries in the artistic category.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

T&T’s dart team leaves on Saturday to participate in the World Dart Federation (WDF) World Cup in Castlebar, Ireland. The tournament starts next Tuesday with opening ceremony at 8pm. The five-day tournament which ends on September 24, will see 39 countries competing in ten categories.

2011 T&T team members are: Pamela  Massiah, Joanne Christopher (women’s coach), Charmaine Harrington-Marshall, Kevin Jacob, Rahaman Hassanali, Roger Christopher (men’s coach), Ricardo Spencer, Kevin Spencer (women’s manager), Duke Cole, Felix Le Blanc (men’s manager).

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

T&T senior men’s hockey team ended its four-match tour of the United Kingdom with a 4-1 win over English Hockey Conference League club, Indian Gymkhana on Tuesday. It was the fourth win in six matches on the one-week tour for the “Calypso Stickmen” who were using the matches as part of their preparations for next month’s Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. On Saturday, the local squad which included the UK-based trio of Kwandwane Browne (Canterbury), Dillet Gilkes (Chelmsford) and goalkeeper Justin Pascal (Brunnel University), participated in a mini-tournament against Canterbury II and Horsham HC which it won. T&T coached by Bas Bruin defeated Horsham 5-0 and 5-1 in their two encounters while it drew 2-2 with Canterbury II before securing a 3-1 win in the second meeting to top the competition.

In their other matches on tour, T&T which was without the services of Browne due to injury and  Gilkes, club commitments played to a 2-2 draw with Canterbury I. The locals who are expected home today, were beaten in their first match on tour last Thursday, 3-2 by First Division club, Teddington, a few hours after arriving from T&T. For that encounter, T&T was also with Browne and Gilkes due to club commitments. The local players who travelled to the T&T included Darren Cowie, Aidan De Gannes, Andrew Viera, Javon Woodward, Shaquille Daniel, Alan Henderson, Mickell Pierre, Kiel Murray, Tristan Grant, Christopher Scipio, Evan Farrel, Akim Toussaint, Karlos Stevens (GK) while Glenn “Fido” Francis served as assistant coach. The team was without the Petrotrin trio of stalwarts Atiba Whittington and Solomon Eccles due to work commitments and Dwain Quan Chan due to medical reasons.

Prior to the tour of the UK, the T&T men’s team participated at the Four-Nations Classic hosted by Field Hockey Canada where it had wins over Chile, 4-3, 4-3 and 3-1 and losses against Canada 1-9, 0-2 and 2-4. At the Pan American Games from October 20 to 19, T&T will face Chile, Canada and Barbados in Pool A while Argentina, Cuba, Mexico and USA are in Pool B. The tournament is a qualifier for next year’s  London Olympics.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

September 14 - A major new study has estimated that the 2011 Rugby World Cup currently taking place in New Zealand will generate £1.06 billion ($1.67 billion/€1.22 billion) for the global sports economy.

The report - conducted by the Centre for the International Business of Sport (CIBS) on behalf of MasterCard Worldwide - concludes that the economic impact of Rugby World Cup is profound and that it has huge potential to create a lasting legacy.

More than 95,000 overseas visitors are expected at the 2011 Rugby World Cup - 30,000 more than at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

As a result, the report estimates that the total economic activity from overseas visitors may amount to £414 million ($653 million/€478 million).

This short-term commerce flow will come through international spending in bars, clubs, shops, hotels, city attractions, bookmakers and inside host stadia, along with sponsors and organisations spending on marketing in cities around matches.

In the long-term, the study suggests that the economic impact from increased tourism, civic sponsorship and business development as a result of the event is likely to be £68 million (£107 million/€79 million).

This reinforces findings following the FIFA World Cup 2010 when 92 per cent of visitors indicated that they would recommend South Africa to friends and relatives, and 90 per cent said they would visit again.

"Rugby World Cup is one of the world's top three major sports events and the largest in the world this year," said International Rugby Board (IRB) chief executive Mike Miller.

"As the report underlines, it will drive significant economic activity around the globe and, in particular, in New Zealand, both during the Tournament and in the longer term.

"We have no doubt the tournament will be both successful and memorable."

In addition to the hosting and sporting benefits, Rugby World Cup plays a pivotal role in the growth and prosperity of rugby worldwide.

All commercial revenues generated by the tournament are reinvested in rugby around the world to increase competitiveness and ensure more men, women and children can access the sport.

This is done through the IRB's £45 million ($71 million/€52 million) Strategic Investment Programme for the period 2009-2012.

The total investment for the period is £150 million ($237 million/€173 million), which includes £17 million ($27 million/€20 million) in Oceania and £6 million ($9 million/€7 million) in New Zealand.

"Aside from seven weeks of spectacular rugby, New Zealand 2011 will benefit New Zealand and New Zealanders and it will benefit the global game," continued Miller.

"The commercial revenues generated from the Tournament drive the growth and development of rugby worldwide across our 117 Member Unions in order that more men, women and children can enjoy the sport and that more teams can compete to qualify for Rugby World Cup and ultimately challenge to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

"Alongside the more established rugby nations, fans will be able to see emerging nations such as Russia, who will be playing in their first Rugby World Cup, and Romania where participation has risen 222 per cent since 2003, adding to the appeal of the Tournament and inspiring further growth."

According to the report, on a global level, economic activity is generated by fans travelling and people engaging with the Tournament from their home nation as part of the expected four billion television audience, for example by buying merchandise and consuming food and drink.

It also reflects commercial companies who engage with the Tournament including broadcasters, sponsors, suppliers, licensed merchandisers and commercial travel and hospitality.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Tom Degun

September 13 - New Zealand has been chosen to stage this year's Champions Trophy after a late bid from India to remain as hosts failed, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced today.

The FIH stripped India of the event last week because of problems in the sport's administration in India.

"It is always tough to move an event out of any country, but I have to say that the silver lining is the bid from New Zealand," FIH President Leandro Negre.

"New Zealand will put on a first-rate Champions Trophy and has been extremely flexible and professional given the tough circumstances and tight timeline.

"I know that they will do an excellent job hosting the event."

India will also lose their automatic spot in the eight-team event as the hosts and will have to play in November's Champions Challenge in South Africa to qualify for the tournament in Auckland, which is due to take place between December 3 and 11.

The decision to move the event to New Zealand means that they will now take part in the tournament.

New Zealand were chosen to replace India after Ken Read, the chairman of the FIH Competitions Committee visted the country.

"After seeing the facilities and infrastructure first hand I am very confident that Hockey New Zealand is prepared to host a great event for the athletes and supporters," said the Australian.

Hosting the event is a massive bonus for New Zealand.

"It is a privilege to be hosting this event. We have been overwhelmed by how quickly our key partners have come together to offer support to ensure this is a truly fantastic event," said Hilary Poole, the chief executive of Hockey New Zealand.

"We have the structure in place and with work already underway, we are confident that we can deliver a world-class event in a short timeframe."

The FIH rejected the Indian Sports Ministry-brokered peace agreement between rival factions Hockey India and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), saying there could not be more than one federation running the game.

The IHF was disbanded in 2008 after its secretary was caught on camera taking a bribe to select a player before being revived by a court order last year.

FIH backs HI and rejected the Sports Ministry-conceived formula of allowing a joint Executive Committee, comprising members from both factions, to run the sport.

India has also been warned that it will lose the rights to host the London 2012 Olympic qualifying tournament next year unless the situation is resolved swiftly.

"All the meetings were positive but we made it clear that what FIH wants is a single body for hockey in the country," said Kelly Fairweather, the chief executive of the FIH.

Negre made it clear that the FIH would only recognise Hockey India.

"It is up to the Government and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to sort out the issue," he said.

"It has to be done very soon."

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Duncan Mackay

OLYMPIC silver medallist Richard Thompson had to settle for the bronze at the prestigious IAAF World Challenge in Zagreb, Croatia, yesterday.

The national champion, still not back to his best, crossed the finish line in 10.03 seconds behind world record holder Usain Bolt who took the gold and Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis who was second.

Bolt in his first 100m final since false-starting at the World Championships, clocked a fast 9.85 seconds in what was essentially a race against the clock for the Jamaican.

The 35-years-old Collins, a bronze medallist at the recent World Championships, was a distant second in 10.01.

Meanwhile, Renny Quow who earned bronze at the 2009 “Worlds”, was third in the men’s 400m final.

The quarter-miler has been disappointing this year but still did enough to earn a medal yesterday.

The Tobagonian stopped the clock at 45.95 seconds behind Americans LaShawn Merritt and Greg Nixon who were first and second respectively.

Merritt, the reigning Olympic champion, produced a 45.22 performance to obliterate the

field. Nixon grabbed the silver in 45.73.

World champion Carmelita Jeter took advantage of a less than impressive field to sprint to glory in the women’s 100m event in a time of 11 seconds.

Finishing second was Jamaican Schillonie Calvert in 11.13 followed by Ivet Lalova of Bulgaria who clocked 11.33.
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Source: www.newsday.co.tt

OLYMPIC bronze medallist George Bovell III is in good spirits and eager to get back on course to represent Trinidad and Tobago following his recent car accident.

Bovell III was injured in an accident at Manzanilla which put him out of contention for this year’s Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

At a news conference yesterday, the local swimmer stated although he suffered a concussion and other minor injuries, he must undergo one remaining Computerised Axial Tomography (CAT) scan.

This test will be conducted in approximately ten days and will determine if he can resume his training in full. Bovell III explained the problems he is experiencing while trying to get back to fitness.

“I was unable to do any type of training for two weeks due to the seriousness of the accident. I was forced to take another two weeks off before I could even move around.

“The concussion caused my brain to be swollen a bit and my blood pressure was really high. It really was not good for me to do any type of training during that time because I could not have my heart pumping too hard,” he explained.

Bovell III mentioned that he was forced to pull out the Pan American Games because he had not fully recovered and was not able to put in the required training for the competition. He explained that if he did compete at the Pan Am, the result would not have been to his desire.

“I would have only had one month to train and two weeks to rest. You don’t get better (swimming) with just only one month of training. I needed about eight to 12 weeks for my body to adapt and get stronger to get to a faster pace.

“I did not want to go there (Pan Am) knowing I would have a mediocre result,” he added.

But the five-time Pan Am medallist said his Olympic training regimen will commence in November.

The 28-year-old mentioned that he would soon be looking for some international meets to compete in around December. These meets would give him a clearer idea of where he currently is at on the competitive circuit and what he should work on.

“For my Olympic season, I’d like to resume my training next month. I would have to start with a lot of base work and some long, tough endurance training.

“I’ll have to do a lot of fast work with little rest to get back to my desired ability.

“In December, I want to go to some foreign countries to get involved in some competitions. I really won’t be looking at my placing but it would really be for my training and development,” he continued.

“In due course, I am going to start training with track and field athletes and probably some boxers to get back my physical strength. I have already spoken to Boxu Potts and he wanted me to consider doing some training with Tariq Abdul-Haqq for some heavyweight training.

“Personally, I think it’s necessary because these types of exercises will significantly assist me in getting back in the physical form that I’m supposed to be in.”

The Olympic swimmer acknowledged Sports Minister Anil Roberts for his commitment to his swimming.

He said he was pleased to have Roberts still assisting him in some training techniques and development, all free of charge.

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

By Jonathan Ramnanansingh

T&T Calypso Spikers go into their match final Pool B match at the 22nd Norceca Women’s Continental Championship against five-time champions and world second-ranked USA from 4 pm,  needing a victory to have a chance at a quarterfinal spot. This after 20th world-ranked Canada got the better of 29th world-ranked T&T, 25-15, 28-30, 25-22, 25-11 in the pool opener at Hector Sola Bezares Coliseum in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on Monday night. T&T, the reigning four-time Caribbean champion, coming off a tenth-place showing at the 12-team Pan American Cup in Mexico in July, was hoping to avenge a 15-25, 17-25, 17-26 loss to the Canadians in their seventh to tenth place semifinal at the same tournament. However, Canada, led by Sarah Pavan who recorded a match-high 23 points, proved too much for the local women.

However, it was the first time that T&T had won a set against the Canadians. Three other Canadians, Sherline Holness (18 points, including six blocks), Kyla Richey (13) and Marisa Field (11) also scored in doubles figures. For the Calypso Spikers, France-based captain Krystle Esdelle top-scored with 20 points, Rheeza Grant added 11, while Poland-based 17-year-old Sinead Jack and Shurvette Beckles got six points each. Vice captain Kelly-Anne Billingy and Channon Thompson, the other Polish-based player, got four points apiece. Speaking after the loss, Esdelle said, “We didn’t have good communication during the fourth set but we are really satisfied with the fighting spirit we showed in the second set.” T&T coach, Cuban-born Francisco “Panchee” Cruz, said the match showed the team was moving a step forward with each competition as it was the first time they had won a set against Canada and battled until the end in another.”

Today’s meeting with the Americans will be the second in three months for T&T after an 11-25, 17-25, 18-25 loss at the Pan Am Cup in July. Also on Monday, defending champions, Dominican Republic outclassed Panama 25-12, 25-10, 25-15 in the opening match led by Dahiana Burgos with 11 points in Group C. The winner of the tournament will earn a ticket to the FIVB World Cup in Japan next November.

Fixtures

Today
Group A: Mexico vs Puerto Rico, 8 pm
Group B: T&T vs USA, 4 pm
Group C: Cuba vs Dominican Republic, 6 pm

Tomorrow
Classifications for 7th to 9th play-offs
Quarterfinals

Friday
Classifications for 7th to 8th
Semifinals

Saturday
Classifications 5th to 6th
Finals and Third place play-offs

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Nigel Simon

World championship 100m bronze medallist Kelly Ann Baptiste and double Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson are T&T’s highest ranked athletes in the latest IAAF performance listing recently released. Baptiste is at number five on the women’s 100 metre dash rankings with her 10.91 clocking she set in winning the event at the Diamond League Paris, France leg on July 8. The 24-year-old was this country’s lone medal winner at last month’s World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, where she was third in 10.98 seconds behind American Carmelita Jeter and Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica. Jeter heads the standings with 10.70 seconds with Campbell-Brown in second on 10.76. Semoy Hackett is at 31st with a personal best of 11.17 while 19-year-old Michelle-Lee Ahye is on 46th with a pb of 11.20.

Ayanna Hutchinson lies on 96th after her 11.36 clocking with another teenager Kai Selvon on 139th with 11.43. Thompson is also at number five in the men’s short sprint following his national record run of 9.85 set at the national championships on August 13. Thompson is joined by five other local sprinters in the world top sixty. Keston Bledman is at 12th on 9.93, Aaron Armstrong (30th) 10.07, Marc Burns (31st) 10.09, Emmanuel Callender (38th) 10.12, Darryl Brown (39th) 10.13 and Rondel Sorillo (51st) 10.17.
World championships finalist Cleopatra Borel is the next highest ranked local at ninth. Borel, who made it to a World champs outdoor finals for the first time in Daegu, set a national outdoor mark of 19.42m and finished fourth in Paris, France on July 8. Sorillo, who was seventh in the men’s 200m finals, sped to a quick 20.16 seconds in taking his third national title on August 14.

The Berlin 2009 World Championships bronze medallist Renny Quow is at eleventh in the men’s 400m with his 44.84 season’s best time set in the heats at this year’s World Championships. Lalonde Gordon and Zwede Hewitt are both at 47th with identical clocking of 45.51. Reigning world junior champion Jehue Gordon is at 12th in the men’s 400m hurdles with his 48.66 second clocking in winning the event in Berlin, Germany on Sunday. The men’s 4x100m team of Bledman, Burns, Armstrong and Thompson is at fourth in the sprint relay rankings following their 37.91 run in winning heat two in Daegu.

T&T athletes on latest IAAF World RANKINGS

Women’s 100m
Rank    Name    Performance    Date
5    Kelly-Ann Baptiste    10.91    July 8
31    Semoy Hackett    11.17    May 14
46    Michelle Lee Ahye    11.20    Aug 28
96    Ayanna Hutchinson    11.36    July 10
139    Kai Selvon    11.43    Aug 13
Men’s 100m
5    Richard Thompson    9.85    Aug 13
12    Keston Bledman    9.93    June 4
30    Aaron Armstrong    10.07    Aug 13
31    Marc Burns    10.09    Aug 13
38    Emmanuel Callender    10.12    Aug 13
39    Darryl Brown    10.13    Aug 13
51    Rondel Sorillo    10.17    Aug 13
Women’s 200m
41    Semoy Hackett    22.87    June 11
44    Kai Selvon    22.89    Sept 1
135    Reyare Thomas    23.38    May 21
Men’s 200m
9    Rondel Sorillo    20.16    Aug 14
113    Lalonde Gordon    20.67    July 9
113    Emmanuel Callender    20.67    June 4
168    Moriba Morain    20.80    Aug 14
203    Richard Thompson    20.85    July 29
Women’s One Mile
14    Pilar Mc Shine    4:36:85    June 4
Men’s 400m
11    Renny Quow    44.84    Aug 28
47    Lalonde Gordon    45.51    June 5
47    Zwede Hewitt    45.51    June 8
Women’s 100m Hurdles
60    Josanne Lucas    13.03    April 16
139    Aleesha Barber    13.29    July 17
Men’s  110m Hurdles
80    Mikel Thomas    13.63    April 15
Women’s 400m Hurdles
31    Janiel Bellille    55.80    April 2
68    Josanne Lucas    56.86    June 13
132    Sparkle McKnight    57.88    April 23
Men’s 400m hurdles
12    Jehue Gordon    48.66    Sept 11
 116    Emmanuel Mayers    50.43    Aug 14
Women’s Triple Jump
62    Ayanna Alexander    13.98    July 24
Men’s Triple Jump
100    Elton Walcott    16.43    July 23
Women’s Shot P ut
9    Cleopatra Borel    19.42    July 8
33    Annie Alexander    17.66    June 11
116    Hileen James    16.14    April 2
Women’s Discus
58    Annie Alexander    58.58    May 28
Men’s Discus
104    Quincy Wilson    59.60    Aug 14
Women  4X100
6    T&T    42.50    Sept 4
Men’s 4x100m
4    T&T    37.91    Sept 4
Women’s 4X400m
61    T&T    3:34:84    July 17
Men’s 4x400m
15    T&T    3:01:65    July 17

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Clayton Clarke

A contingent of 22 T&T Under-18 sportsmen and women took part  in the fourth Common­­wealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man. The youngsters would have competed against world-class talent—in some cases the gap from Port-of-Spain to elite level would have been a baptism of fire. Competing against the best is a catalyst for the mental and emotional breakthrough that is an absolute necessity, if the objective is to be the best that one can be. Our young sportsmen and women must face such examinations. There is no shame or disgrace in failure even though words such as disappointing, calamitous and annihilation will be used—that  is part of the process, honour, privilege and responsibility of wearing the red, black and white. It comes with the territory. The decision by the TTOC to send the team to Isle of Man would have been with two eyes on 2016 and beyond. It is a philosophy that would have paid dividends in the past. But it also carried with it deeper motives.

The fact that the TTOC was unable to raise external funds for the team was merely an obstacle to be overcome. In these despairing times, events such as the Youth Games take on added relevance. How do we foster among our youth the attractiveness of national and community pride, that sense of direction and purpose that fires their energy and restlessness in a positive and constructive manner? Teams not gangs.
Why is the gang culture so compelling for some of our youth? In a society such as T&T where below the shallow surface lies factions and segregation, sport can break down barriers. Among the gangs, an intense disrespect for authority is an attraction. Gang culture involves serious criminal behaviour. Young people are bullied and or pressured into joining from as young as ten years old.

It is alleged that the gang culture has been encouraged, on occasions, by politicians who during national elections find the services offered useful. There may well be a moral deficit, but whatever the view, it is time to stop making excuses. Teams not gangs. National sport organisations in many ways act as surrogate parents. In this context, contentious and divisive sport politics and governance is not only revealing but short sighted. A failed democracy produces a victor while the sport, and more so the athletes, end up the real victims and losers. Why frustrate and condemn those children, teenagers and young adults who are trying to be constructive and positive. Why sacrifice them on the altar of expediency, in the process making the destructive culture and attitude more appealing.

As long as words are not matched by actions this society will not change the gang culture which can be found not only in the hot spots but in every other aspect of national life. NSOs can be in the vanguard of change, societal change that is, but it will require a far bigger vision than just wanting to win the spoils of office and power. The choice may well be either a new generation of young and talented athletes or the next generation of gang leaders. Our young and promising athletes and others who are knocking on the door need more than just a focus on their sporting lives and performances, but also their day-to-day lives away from sport. Hezekiel Romeo returns from Isle of Man with a bronze medal but he and his teammates could easily have been denied the honour and privilege. The future of sport in T&T will only be positive if NSOs put a lot of effort into its youth and fully support the development of sport in all areas.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Brian Lewis